Grades of Lumber

US Grading Agencies

 

Grades of Hardwoods

Grading designation here depends on the number of defects in a given length and width of hardwood boards. As with softwoods, a lower grade can be perfectly acceptable, depending on placement and usage. Hardwoods are graded by the National Hardwood Lumber Association. Here's a chart to help explain the grading system. Grades are listed from highest to lowest.

Grade Name
Abbreviation
Minimum
Board Size
% Usable Material
On One Face
Firsts and Seconds
FAS
6" x 8'
83
Select
Sel
4" x 6'
83
#1 Common
#1 Com
3" x 4'
66
#2 Common
#2 Com
3" x 4'
50

There are grades below #2 Common, but they're typically not suitable for woodworking

 

Grades of Softwoods

Softwoods are divided into dimensional lumber, with a grade based on strength, and appearance boards, which are typically used for woodworking projects. Grading of softwoods is overseen by a number of different agencies, so you will be more likely to find some variations in terminology. Grades listed here are from highest to lowest.

Grade What It Means
C Select Almost completely clear of defects. Widely used for interior trim and cabinets.
D Select Fine appearance, similar to C Select. May have dime-sized knots.
1 Common Best material for high quality pine with a knotty look. Knots will be tight, meaning they won't fall out, and generally small.
2 Common Tight knots, but larger than found in 1 Common. Often used for paneling and shelving. Very suitable for general woodworking projects.

 

Grade 1 Pine Grade 2 Pine
Grade 3 Pine Grade 4 Pine

 

Common Lumber Defects

BOW - Warp on the face of a board from
end to end.
CUP - Hollow across the face of a board.
CROOK - Warp along the edge line; also
known as crown.
KNOT or KNOTHOLE - A tight knot is
usually not a problem; a loose or dead knot,
surrounded by a dark ring, may fall out or
may have already left a hole.
SPLIT - Crack going all the way through
the piece of wood, commonly at the ends.
TWIST - Multiple bends in a board.
CHECK - Crack along the wood's annual
growth rings, not passing through the
entire thickness of the wood.
SHAKE - Separation of grain between the
growth rings, often extending along the
board's face, and sometimes below its
surface.
WANE - Missing wood or untrimmed bark
along the edge or corner of the piece.

 

Lumber Grading Stamp

When lumber of the same species and size is still at the mill, it is designated and separated by grade. It is then identified by a stamp and often inventoried by its grade and species. Different lumberyards sometimes use different names for the same grade. Grade designations depend on particular defects such as knots or wane. Grade does not indicate consistency of color or grain patterns.

Manufacturer: Mill's number, name, or symbol. (ex. 12)

Certification mark: Symbol of agency providing quality-control supervision. (ex. WWP®)

Grade: Often abbreviated. 1 Common shown. (ex. 1COM)

Moisture content (MC:) Abbreviation for MC when board surfaced. MC 15 is 15% or less;
KD or S-DRY is 19% or less; S-GRN is green wood with more than 19% MC. (ex. S-DRY)

Species mark: Symbol or abbreviation for types of tree. Example shown is Ponderosa pine. (ex. PP)